The Anniversary of the Death of Trayvon Martin – Feb 26, 2016

On February 26, 2012, a 17-year old-young boy was visiting his father in Sanford, Florida. It was a rainy evening. He went to a convenience store for candy and juice. On his way back, a neighborhood watchman alleged that he was on his way to Target to get groceries when he saw a suspicious teen. He followed the teen in his truck, then on foot. Trayvon Martin was shot in the heart with a hollow point bullet by George Zimmerman.

What happened in this nation as a consequence of George Zimmerman’s actions exposed the good, the bad, and the ugly. Trayvon’s life, death, and legacy, has motivated many people of all races and from all walks of life to come together for the good, including advocating for changes to stand your ground law and gun control.

We shall not forget.

In support for justice for Trayvon, LLMPapa produced videos during Zimmerman’s pending trial. In the following, he addresses where a journalist wanted to interview him and he gives his response.

I remember when I first heard this story. It really sickened me and the feeling continues. I even watched as much of the trial as possible and it too unnerved me in many ways. What made matters worse was the acquittal and the lack of remorse that was shown by the defendant (I refuse to call his name). This case really united a lot of people yet the ugly face of racism was on full display here in America once again. Sad to say but the saga continues…………………… #WHENWILL ITSTOP

Trayvon woke me up, and I have not been able to go back to sleep since. At first it was a story of a young man just a couple of years younger than my own son. He could have been my son.

I had had “the talk” with my own son, so I must have had some idea what was out there, but it wasn’t really until Trayvon’s killing that I actually felt it. It is still there. I see it every day.

I am so sorry, Trayvon, but thank you for waking me up. I promise, I will not go back to sleep until it is gone. It goes beyond you could have been my son. You ARE my son. You are ALL my sons. And as a mother, I will NOT go back to sleep until this racism and hatred is gone – or die trying.

Each time a Trayvon anniversary day comes upon us, I think of all the friends made through our advocating and standing up for Trayvon that first year and all the years following.

Rachael, you are one of those important, dear friends. I always appreciated the power of your words and your dedication behind your words and I still do to this day.

The melody of The Ash Grove often is in the back of my mind as I think back on friends who put their hoodies up and posted evidence comments as they stood up for Trayvon seeking justice for him.

Today the friends from our Trayvon community ARE again before me and in my heart. And, as I think of all of you (whether you are still posting in comment sections or not), the melody of remembering plays on:

Trayvon, your legacy lives on…you have tied all of us together in community.

LLPapa’s video connects with the feelings and heartache that I still feel for Trayvon deep within my being…”the fire still burns” within me and drives my commitment to do all I can to help bring about a better world with a caring community spirit warmed by the sunshine of justice, equality, freedom and love.

Live on, Trayvon, LIVE ON!

I will never forget you.

There are so many beautiful, touching photos of you and your family that go through my mind as I think of the the beautiful life you lived among us.

Trayvon Martin’s death will be detailed in our history books as a turning point when we as a society started becoming more vocal and active in pointing out how young unarmed peoples of color were being unfairly targeted and killed by law enforcement and the justice system.

I became so angry during the 2013 trial. It was as if Trayvon Martin was on trial vs.George Zimmerman. As a registered republican, I became so disheartened as to how my party’s tea party coalition portrayed the likes of a George Zimmerman as the “good guy.”

Today, we are seeing the results with the republicans having Donald Trump leading in the polls and in the delegation count to be their 2016 presidential standard bearer. I truly believe that the same folks including Fox TV that have created the climate for Mr. Trumps success..

At the time in 2013, even though I had problems with doing a general email, I decided to start blogging, anyway. This was a real struggle but I figured out how and this is when I met other bloggers like Xena, Jueseppi B., Shannon of Miami, whonoze and others .What ever happened to whonoze?

After this point in history, I stopped blogging but I picked it up again for a short time during the 2014 elections when a lot of the tea party folks prevailed because of the record low turnout of voters. This was true, even for Florida, land of the “Stand Your Ground” rules.

Then I quit again until the senseless death of Michael Brown. This time, I have not stopped blogging. In short, Trayvon Martin’s death at the hands of a complete idiot has been a turning point for me.

“Published on Apr 4, 2012
Trayvon Martin Tribute Drawing by: DJ-XTC (Charles-P)
….I had a Dream of Trayvon Martin. I had a conversation with him and he said to me: “Let Everyone Know That I’m Going Home” ….completely compelled I drew this at 4am after waking up in a cold sweat. ….take care of him Pops…. (I just want Trayvon’s family to somehow get this to bring comfort in knowing that he is HOME with GOD.)”

Rachel’s comment already almost pushed me over the edge this morning (my morning). I tend to be most sensitive when I first get up so I’ll wait a while before I watch LLMpapa’s video. I know it’s very moving.

This still grabs me and shakes me to the core. What did i do to you that you had to single me out, follow and attack me ?? Then shoot me ??

As sickening as this is just yesterday one of my friends & I were talking about this anniv and he said, and stands by, Fogen is due to rear his ugly head soon. It seems anytime there is something to take away from his “fame” or celebrity status, he pops back up.

Playing guard for a gun store, beating up the latest flame, running that filthy mouth about the President……something to say “Hey….look at me”

I will never forget the courage of Trayvon’s parents and brother. I scream like hell when the verdict came down. Now, 4 years later, I have not forgotten the injustice. We love you Trayvon, Your senseless murder brought us together. We will never forget.

I am still in shock over the Caylee Anthony case. The verdict. After Trayvon Martin. I am still shocked, it’s clear what happened and the trouble makers know it as well. They found GZ not guilty. Then after the trial. How do those jurors feel seeing his smug face still in the news. Gun toting, lying idiot. Then John Crawford, Michael Brown On and on and on. I am pi$$ed and will not stop. Hell, I couldn’t even finish Caylee’s website. Still haven’t been back there and it’s been 8 years.. Sad sad sad. I can’t get myself to write NOT GUILTY!

Shyloh,
You have a wonderful heart. I know what you mean about not getting back to finish Caylee’s website. I’ve spoken with many who blogged for justice for Trayvon who could not get back to their sites either because of the verdict.

I didn’t follow the Anthony trial, but I heard the verdict, and it seems to me that if Casey didn’t kill her child, then there’s still a child killer out there that needs to be brought to justice. It bothers me when prosecutors allow cases to sit unsolved.

“On February 26, 2012, a 17-year old-young boy was visiting his father in Sanford, Florida. It was a rainy evening. He went to a convenience store for candy and juice. On his way back, a neighborhood watchman alleged that he was on his way to Target to get groceries when he saw a suspicious teen. He followed the teen in his truck, then on foot. Trayvon Martin was shot in the heart with a hollow point bullet by George Zimmerman.

Hello Brookingstyler. Much happened — too much to put in a comment. It’s been 4 years since Trayvon was killed, and 3 years since the conclusion of Zimmerman’s trial. Please feel free to see the top menu and click on “Trayvon Martin” and/or “George Zimmerman.” You can also use the search engine on the right-side border for “George Zimmerman trial” to see videos of his trial.